What is TAP-Windows & Fix TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter Errors

Jack

By Jack

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tap windows

Every VPN user needs to know what TAP-Windows is, as the issues associated with TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter can be a bit worrisome.

Many users have reported trouble connecting to the internet while the TAP-Windows Adapter was enabled.

You need not worry anymore as we will tell you how to manage the TAP-Windows Adapter in this article.

What is TAP-Windows Adapter?

If you have been using the Windows VPN to safeguard the personal data stored on the PC, you must be aware of the role of the TAP-Windows Adapter V9.

Essentially, the Adapter acts as a virtual network interface that lets the VPN clients fetch the desired VPN connection by making all the necessary functionalities available.

The TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter can be found as an installed program at the location C:\Program Files\Tap-Windows.

What is TAP-Windows Adapter

Many VPN software runs only after installing a specific network driver, known as TAP-Windows. You can find this Adapter mainly in the Device Manager once installed by any VPN client like SoftEther, Cyberghost, Hamachi, etc.

The VPN suites mostly use it as a helping medium for establishing a private connection to any internet network nearby.

You will find two different types of driver versions of TAP-Windows that operate only on the specific Windows OS version running on the PC. The two types are:

  • The Windows XP version uses the NDIS 5 driver for TAP-Windows and version 9.9.x
  • The Windows 10/ 8/ 7/ Vista versions use the NDIS 6 driver for TAP-Windows and version 9.21.x
TAP-Windows Adapter App

Note: An amazing VPN facilitating software for your Windows PC or laptop would be PureVPN. This software is compatible with Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. It has a very simple-to-use interface, and the streaming speed is blazing fast. PureVPN will be your best bet for making your PC a VPN hotspot with high-security features like IPv6 Leak protection and DNS.

PS: Learn more about the full TigerVPN review.

Why would you need to remove TAP-Windows?

Whether you use TAP-Windows 9.21.2 or the other version, there are chances of an error in the drivers. Suppose you use the VPN with the help of the internet frequently, and you experience connectivity problems during that process when the VPN connection is running.

In that case, there is a possibility that the driver associated with the TAP-Windows might have gone corrupted. You should better start with an investigation of the problem.

The major and best solution to help you in this scenario would be reinstalling the TAP-Windows Adapter. Another situation might be where you have been using a VPN connection for a long time but have discontinued the usage in the present for a while.

In this case, the leftover data from the TAP-Windows Adapter might be the potential culprit behind the internet connectivity issues. It may have gone corrupted in the time being and started causing trouble.

Why would you need to remove TAP-Windows

In both the cases mentioned above, removing the particular Adapter is the best fix. A thing to note here is that if you decide not to uninstall the VPN software from the PC or laptop, then there are chances that the TAP-Windows Adapter will get reinstalled automatically.

If you see the following error message – “All TAP-Windows adapters on this system are currently in use,” then it is time for you to restart the TAP-Windows fox adapter to fix such issues.

Now that the air is clear on the possible issue that might happen. Let us take you through the methods for removing, restarting, and reinstalling the TAP-Windows adapter.

Method for removing the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9

As we have already discussed, removing the TAP-Windows Adapter is not as easy as it may seem once you have uninstalled it from the Device Manager. You may find the Adapter reinstalled into the Device manager as per the VPN software installed on the system.

This will happen every time you boot the system. The main reason behind this is the startup service that is associated with some of the VPN programs. This service looks for the missing drivers and automatically installs the required ones.

Once you decide to remove the driver associated with the TAP-Windows Adapter V9, follow the given steps:

Open the window of Program Files.

Navigate through and find the option of TAP-Windows.

Hit double-click over the option uninstall.exe. Now keep following the instructions as they appear on the screen for finally deleting the driver from the system.

If you decide to terminate the process at this stage, remember that the next time you start the device, the driver will return once again and reinstall upon opening the VPN software.

You have to fully shut the software off the system to ensure that the driver is barred from getting reinstalled on the PC.

Follow the steps below to do so:

Press the keys Windows + R together to launch the Run window. Enter the command appwiz.cpl into the box. Hit OK now. This will open the window of Programs and Features.

appwiz.cpl

Find the relevant VPN client from the given list and then uninstall it.

Why would you need to remove TAP-Windows

Note that if you have previously been a user of more than one VPN solution, ensure that you d the same removal process with every other client on the list.

Make sure that there is no such software left that can cause trouble again, and reinstall the TAP-Windows Adapter.

Method for restarting the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9

Suppose you don’t wish to remove the Adapter altogether and think there is a possible chance of its recovery by removing any minor issue. In that case, you may try it by just performing a restart of the Adapter.

As we know that when the error message tells you that every Adapter is currently being used, restarting the TAP-Windows is a good option to try.

We will tell you how to do so in the steps given below:

Open the Control Panel of the PC.

Click the option of Network and Internet.

Network and Internet Settings

At this stage, hit the tab Change Adapter options.

Change Adapter options

In the next Network Connections window, hit a right-click on the local area connection associated with your TAP-Windows Adapter V9. Then click on the tab Disable.

Method for restarting the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9

Wait for some time. Hit a right-click again on the same option and then click Enable.

Try running your VPN client once again and see if the error is resolved.

Method for reinstalling the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9

Suppose you face difficulties establishing a connection with any VPN network (it doesn’t matter which program you are using).

In that case, you may have to first start your troubleshooting operation by running a check on the TAP-Windows Adapter primarily.

If installed correctly, reinstall the adapter from scratch if you encounter any incorrect settings.

The steps given below are going to be your guide to do so:

It would be best if you first terminated your VPN connection and shut down the related program of the VPN client simultaneously.

Now press the keys Windows + R together to launch the Run window. Enter the command devmgmt.msc into the box. Hit Enter now. This will open the window of Device Manager.

devmgmt.msc

In this window, navigate the options and select the Network Adapters tab. Open the menu that drops down.

Now, find the option TAP-Windows Adapter V9. Look for an exclamation mark that might appear over the icon adjacent to the option.

If the exclamation mark is there, your next move would be to reinstall the particular driver that will fix the problem. To do that, right-click over the icon and click the tab Uninstall device.

Method for reinstalling the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9

Once you successfully remove the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter V9 from the Device Manager, open the VPN client again. Now keeping in mind the VPN software you use, you may have to face two situations over here.

Either a prompt will emerge asking you to install the missing Network Driver, or the Client will automatically install the driver again without asking for permission.

Note: If you see a “missing driver error” message on the VPN software when it has not automatically reinstalled the driver, you may have to remove the VPN Client. All the installation kits associated with the VPN client come with the TAP-Windows Adapter.

If you do not wish to reinstall the VPN client, then visit the website of OpenVPN. Scroll down and stop at TAP-Windows. Now download the right installer as per the windows version of the PC.

Go back and open Device Manager. Check if the exclamation mark is gone from the icon. If it is still there, you may resort to expert support from the VPN client or go for another VPN provider.

FAQs

Q1: Can I fix TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter errors without technical knowledge? Yes, the solutions provided in this article are designed to be user-friendly and can be followed by individuals with varying technical expertise.

Q2: Is it necessary to update the TAP-Windows driver? Yes, updating the driver is an important step as outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and lead to TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter errors.

Q3: Can I reinstall the TAP-Windows Adapter manually? Yes, you can manually uninstall and reinstall the TAP-Windows Adapter by following the steps provided in this article.

Q4: What should I do if none of the solutions work? If none of the solutions work, it is recommended to seek technical support from the VPN software provider or consult an IT professional for further assistance.

Q5: How can I ensure a smooth VPN connection after resolving the errors? After resolving the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter errors, it is advisable to restart your computer and test the VPN connection to ensure it is functioning properly.

Conclusion

We hope this article dealt with all your queries related to TAP-Windows and the TAP-Windows 9.21.2 Adapter.

We gave you a thorough guide to help you better manage the adapter and prevent it from hindering your internet connection.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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